1. Are there any health risks for nonsmokers? The health risks with cigarette smoking are not limited to smokers - exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) significantly increases a nonsmoker's risk of developing lung cancer. (ETS is the smoke that nonsmokers are exposed to when they share air space with someone who is smoking.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a risk assessment report in December 1992 in which ETS was classified as a Group A (known human) carcinogen - a category reserved for only the most dangerous cancer-causing agents. The EPA report estimates that ETS is responsible for lung cancers in several thousand nonsmokers each year, and ETS exposure is also linked to severe respiratory problems in infants and young children. More recently, the California Environmental Protection Agency issued a comprehensive report on the health effects of ETS and concluded that ETS is directly related to coronary heart disease.

2. What harmful chemicals are found in cigarettes? Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical agents, including 60 substances that are known to cause cancer (carcinogens). (*1) During smoking, nicotine is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, causing an addictive effect The Surgeon General Reports noted the following conclusions about nicotine: cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are addicting, and the aspects that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine heroin and cocaine addiction.

Click here for further information regarding toxic chemical in cigarettes...

3. How does exposure affect the cigarette smoker? The risk of developing lung and other smoking-associated cancers, as well as non-cancerous diseases, is related to total lifetime exposure to cigarette smoke. This includes the number of cigarettes a person smokes each day, the age at which smoking began, the number of years a person has smoked and ETS exposure.

4. What are the effects of cigarette smoking on cancer rates? Cigarette smoking is the most significant cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer death in both men and women. Smoking is also responsible for most cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, and esophagus. In addition, it is highly associated with the development of, and deaths from, bladder, kidney, pancreatic, and cervical cancers.

5. What are the statistics regarding smoking and pregnancy?

Smoking in pregnancy accounts for an estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of pre-term deliveries, and some 10 percent of all infant deaths. Even apparently healthy, full-term babies of smokers have been found to be born with narrowed airways and curtailed lung function.

Only about 30 percent of women who smoke stop smoking when they find out they are pregnant; the proportion of quitters is highest among married women and women with higher levels of education. Smoking during pregnancy declined in 2004 to 10.2 percent of women giving birth, down 42 percent from 1990.

Neonatal health-care costs attributable to maternal smoking in the U.S. have been estimated at $366 million per year, or $704 per maternal smoker.

Smoking by parents is also associated with a wide range of adverse effects in their children, including exacerbation of asthma, increased frequency of colds and ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children less than 18 months of age, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 annual hospitalizations.

6. Will Laser Therapy work for me? Not all people react in the same way to laser therapy, and one person may not always react the same way depending on the condition of the tissue and the immune system. As well, some pharmaceuticals can interfere with the laser therapy treatments and produce varied results because of the blood levels of the pharmaceuticals and individual cell receptability. Some people may even experience mild drowsiness after the treatments.

7. Is there anything I need to do to prepare for the laser therapy? We recommend not smoking for at least four to six hours before the treatment, preferably not smoking from midnight, the night before the treatment, so that your body goes into a state of withdrawal and the build up endorphins from the laser therapy may be felt sooner. We also recommend saving ALL butts and ashes in a glass jar, and leaving it at home. Dr. Pisarek will advise you what to do with the contents in the glass jar at the time of your treatment appointment. The other things that you can do: Clean your house and vehicle and throw out your ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes before your initial treatment. Set up an appointment to get your teeth cleaned. Carry bottled water with you at all times to help with the habit and to help flush the nicotine out of your body. More information about these tips will be discussed during your appointment with the Dr. Pisarek.

8. Can I use the patch or nicotine gum in conjunction with the laser therapy? We do not recommend the use of any nicotine products in conjunction with the laser therapy, as we are trying to help you get the nicotine out of your body as quickly as possible without the side-effects. If you feel the need to use something in conjunction with the laser therapy, there are herbal sprays that help to reduce cravings and calm the nerves naturally. These may be available at your local health food store.

9. How Many points are covered? It is important that key trigger points are used; approximately up to 40 points for 1 smoking treatment. Our protocol has been used successfully since 1986. These points include nicotine/smoking cessation points, relaxation points to reduce stress and appetite suppression points for those concerned with weight gain.

10. What about weight gain? We include some appetite suppressant points free of charge with the laser therapy. It is still important that you eat healthy, get regular exercise and drink lots of water.

11. Are there any side effects? After more than 30 years of laser use worldwide, there are no known side effects. Most people feel more relaxed, sleep better and are a lot less irritable after the laser therapy.

12. Is it painful? No, but some points can be sensitive due to physiological disturbances in the body. It is also completely non-invasive.

13. Is Low Level Laser Therapy medically approved? Low Level Laser Therapy is a non-medical procedure and does not require a medical referral, As such, it is not covered by most insurance plans. However, many medical doctors and dentists do refer their patients. Dr. Pisarek at Advanced Healthcare uses CSA approved laser equipment. Worldwide, thousands of professional health care providers use Low Level Lasers in their practices.

15. What part of the body is treated? Low Level Laser is applied to specific acupuncture or energy points located on the ears, nose, hands, abdomen and feet. The actual points vary depending on the specific problem being treated.

16. How long does a Low Level Laser Therapy session take? A typical session takes between 45 and 60 minutes depending on each person's individual situation.

17. How effective is Low Level Laser Therapy to stop or quit smoking? Results are exceptionally high compared to alternative methods such as the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, anti-depressant drugs, cold turkey, stop smoking pills or potions and hypnosis, etc. For some, the effects of the laser smoking cessation program may last from 4 to 9 months, for others, permanently. However, the success of laser therapy increases with the exercise of will power and the commitment to making positive lifestyle changes. We do recommend a 'booster' session on a yearly basis following this program.

Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking alone is directly responsible for at least one-third of all cancer deaths annually in the United States, and contributes to the development of low birth weight babies and cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce a person's risk of developing heart disease and diseases of the lung, and can limit adverse health effects on unborn children.

18. What additional resources are available?

Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

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Testimonial

I have been a patient of Dr. Pisarek for a few years now. Every morning I have to say "thank you Dr. P.!". Your care and your treatment renew my energy... no more pains in my lower back, knee and foot. With your help I lost 20 pounds and I am keeping it off. I am really grateful to you and your wife Hilda for taking care of me. My retirement got a new meaning, thanks to you.